Expectations are always high for the Bronx, but the 2024 MLB season feels like a crossroads for the New York Yankees.
After years of trying to keep payroll under control, the Yankees took precautions over the winter and brought in Juan Soto to work with Aaron Judge, giving the Pinstripes a lineup that can compete with the American League’s powerhouses.
There are question marks over the starting rotation, especially with Gerrit Cole sidelined for the foreseeable future, but this lineup should score enough points to alleviate those concerns.
The Yankees are 9/1 (BetMGM) to win the World Series, making them the fourth favorite to win the World Series behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros. The Bronx Bombers are just +175 favorites to win the AL East and +400 favorites to represent the AL East in the World Series.
If you’re bullish on the Yankees’ chances of competing in 2024, there are some obvious ways to invest in the Yankees rather than claiming the obvious bet (as for Soto or Judge’s chances of winning AL MVP) You can read it anywhere!). , we wanted to highlight a lesser-known punt that could be a fun sweat for Yankees fans in 2024.
Clay Holmes leads MLB in saves (18/1, Caesars)
This is very simple. Considering the Yankees will be competing for the AL East championship and beyond, Holmes will likely play a pretty big role.
The sinkerballer has been the Yankees’ most dynamic reliever over the past two seasons, and his 2023 numbers (2.86 ERA, 2.65 FIP, 27.1 K rate, 8.8 BB rate, 71 strikeouts) are encouraging.
Holmes will need to significantly increase his save numbers (24) from last year, and the Bombers should give him that opportunity with an improved roster. This is also a contract year for Holmes, which is never a bad thing when it comes to these kinds of bets.
Giancarlo Stanton leads MLB in home runs (95/1, FanDuel)
We’re getting into legitimate longshot territory with this issue. That means you need to adjust your perspective. This bet will almost certainly be a loss, but with so much attention focused on Judge and Soto at the top of the lineup, it’s possible Stanton can return to all-world form with enough protection in the lineup. There is.
Stanton will need to stay healthy and find more consistency than he showed as a Yankee, but his batted ball stats are still elite, so there’s at least some hope that he’ll catch an unlikely second wind. It has a scent.
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Nestor Cortez wins AL Cy Young Award (200/1, FanDuel)
There was a time during the 2022 season when Cortez was considered one of the favorites to win the Cy Young Award. The crafty southpaw was in the midst of a breakthrough, but came back in earnest in the second half of the season. He was expected to be a key cog in the Yankees’ rotation in 2023.
Unfortunately, injuries limited him to just 63¹/₃ innings, and he fell off the radar a bit in 2024. However, with Cole on the line, Cortez will be the Opening Day starter and will likely play a key role again. of rotation.
If the 29-year-old can return to form in 2022, he should at least have a chance to make some noise in the AL’s highly anticipated Cy Young Award race.
